Coaxial connector



UCL 2l 1969 D. G. GARTZKE ETAL.

coAxIAL CONNECTOR Filed Aug, 22, 1966 4 mw @www MMI, y., x mmm :I @MPHOm. im lili \.m.

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gawmmmw United States Patent O U.S. Cl. 339-103 8 Claims ABSTRACT F THEDISCLOSURE Connector for radio frequency transmission lines adapted tobe secured to the lines either by crimping of a. sleeve or by tighteninga threaded clamping nut.

This invention relates to coaxial connectors and more particularly tothe means for connecting coaxial transmission lines thereto.

In general present coaxial connectors are designed so that a coaxialtransmission line may be attached thereto in only one predeterminedmanner. For the connector to accept a coaxial transmission line inanother manner of attachment, it is often necessary to redesign theconnector resulting in changed electrical characteristics therefor.Thus, where a coaxial connector is being used in prototype construction,the same connector may not be used in production construction wherein adifferent manner of connection i-s required thereby giving rise todesign problems in the possible differing electrical characteristics ofthe two connectors. The requirement that only a like connector m-ay .besubstituted for another connector also gives rise to problems in iieldusage. In production construction, crirnping of the cable to theconnector is generally used since it provides significant cost savings.However, when a breakdown occurs in eld usage requiring replacement ofthe connector, specialized crimping tools must be used to connect thenew connector. Such tools are not always available.

Accordingly it is one object of the present invention to provide acoaxial connector wherein connection of a coaxial transmission line maybe made thereto in more than one manner.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a coaxialconnector wherein connection of a coaxial line may be made theretoeither by crimping or by clamping.

It is another object of the present invention to -provide a coaxialconnector wherein a coaxial transmission line may be connected theretoeither by crimping or by clamping.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a coaxialconnector wherein the stripping dimensions of the coaxial transmissionline utilized for attaching the transmission line to the connector maybe identical, whether the connector is to be attached by crimping or byclamping.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a coaxialconnector wherein a coaxial transmission line is clamped thereto bymembers acting in circumferential inclined plane relationship.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a coaxialconnector having improved means for attaching a coaxial transmissionline thereto.

Other objects of the present invention will become more apparent as thedetailed description proceeds.

These objects are attained by providing on the rearward end of thecoaxial connector body a reduced portion adapted to extend between theouter conductor and the insulation surrounding the inner conductor of acoaxial cable, with a sleeve adapted to be compressed thereover. Thesleeve may be crimped to form the connection. Adjacent the reducedportion of the body is a reduced,

shouldered portion adapted to peripherally receive the end of a threadedsleeve. A nut is threaded therein and has means which bears against asleeve to tighten it around the conductor. The threaded sleeve andrelated structure is employed in lieu of the crimped sleeve.

Further understanding of the present invention may best be obtained fromconsideration of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE l is a cross sectional diagram of the female half of a coaxialconnector with an embodiment of the present invention contained thereinprior to assembly.

FIGURE 2 is a cross sectional view of the apparatus of FIGURE l inassembled form.

FIGURE 3 is a cross section of the apparatus of FIG- URE 2 taken alonglines 3-3 thereof.

FIGURE 4 is a cross sectional diagram of the female half of a coaxialconnector with another embodiment of the present invention assembledtherewith.

In FIGURE l a coaxial transmission line 10 is shown stripped so that thecentral conductor 12 thereof projects beyond the dielectric material 14which in turn projects beyond the outer conductor 16. The centralconductor 12 of the coaxial transmission line 10 is shown attached byconventional means to a conventional contact 18 which in turn isinsertable within the coaxial connector 20 where it is held by resilientdielectric member 22. The coaxial transmission line 10 is shown inFIGURE 1 prior to its insertion in and connection to the coaxialconnector 20.

The embodiment shown in FIGURE l is adapted for clamping of the coaxialtransmission line 10 to the coaxial connector 20. The body or Ishell 24of coaxial connector 20 is provided with a rearwardly extending portion26 forming a shoulder with the body 24 and a rearwardly extendingtubular sleeve 28 forming a shoulder with the reduced portion 26. Thesleeve 28 of member 24 has circumferential grooves 30 cut in its outersurface, and has a passage therethrough internally sized to accept thecentral conductor 12 and dielectric material 14 therearound of coaxialline 10.

To effect clamping of the coaxial transmission line 10 to the coaxialconnector 20, an outer sleeve 32 is mounted on the reduced portion 26 ofmember 24 in lixed relationship with respect thereto. This may beaccomplished by any suitable means such ,as threading, brazing, weldingor the like. The sleeve 32 is internally threaded at the end 34 thereof.A deformable clamping ferrule 36 is disposed about the outer conductor16 of coaxial transmission line 10 and is internally sized to accept theouter conductor 16 when it is disposed about the sleeve 28. The clampingferrule 36, as shown in FIGURE 3, is of split-ring form comprised of aforward portion 37 which is essentially coaxial with the transmissionline 10 and split through only at 35, and a tapered rearward portionwhich tapers inwardly therefrom and is partially split at 38 to formseparate jaws 39. A cam ring 40 of external diameter to permit thepassage thereof within sleeve 32 has internally tapered end portions 42,either of which is engageable with the tapered jaws 39 of sleeve 34. Ahollow clamping nut 44 is disposed about transmission line 10 and isexternally sized and threaded so as to be engageable with the threadedportion 34 of sleeve 32.

In operation, the apparatus of FIGURE l operates to clamp the coaxialtransmission line 10 to the coaxial connector 20 as shown in FIGURE 2.To effect such clamping, nut 44 is screwed inwardly to engage the camring 40 and compress the tapering jaws 39 of ferrule 36. Cam ring 40will impart a radial compression force on ferrule 36 which in turnimparts a radially compressive force on the outer conductor 16 ofcoaxial transmission line 10. Since at this time the outer conductor 16of coaxial transmission line is disposed about the sleeve portion 28 ofrearwardly extending member 24, the radially inward pressure will causethe outer conductor 16 to be held in gripping relationship with thecircumferential grooves 30 cut therein.

If a waterproof seal of the coaxial connection is desired, a softsealing gasket 46 is inserted about the coaxial transmission line 10`between the nut 44 and the rearward end of cam ring 40. It is preferredthat the soft sealing gasket 46 have a groove 48 molded therein. Thus,upon forceful engagement, the cam ring 40 will penetrate the gasket 46to effect an outer compressive seal between the cam ring 40, nut 44 andthe inner walls of sleeve 32, and an inner seal between caxn ring 40,nut 44, and the outer insulation 52 of coaxial line 10.

The aforedescribed apparatus has been for the clamping of a coaxialtransmission line 10 to the connector 20. To effect a crimped connectionof coaxial line 10 to the coaxial connector 20, the apparatus shown inFIG- URE 4 is used therewith. The stripping dimensions of the coaxialtransmission line 10 remain the same for the apparatus of FIGURE 4 asfor the apparatus of FIGURES 1 through 3. The central conductor 12 ofcoaxial transmission line 10 is mounted in the same manner as shown forFIGURE l. The stripped outer conductor 16 of the coaxial transmissionline 10, as in FIGURE 1, is expanded and axially advanced so that it isdisposed about the sleeve 28 of the rearwardly extending member 24. Adeformable ferrule 54 is disposed about the outer conductor 16 and iscrimped using a conventional crimping tool so that the outer conductor16 is brought into gripping relationship with the circumferentialgrooves 30 cut in the sleeve 28 of rearwardly extending member 24. Asoft sealing gasket 56 is disposed about the ferrule 52 so as to effecta waterproof seal.

The threaded end 23 of member 24 secures a mating connector thereto.

Thus, using the same connector body, it is apparent that both a clamptype connection and a crimp type connection may be effected therewithaccording to the present invention without changing the electricalcharacteristics of the coaxial connector.

Persons skilled in the art will, of course, readily adapt the teachingsof the present invention to embodiments far different than thosedescribed and illustrated above.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In a coaxial connector for joining coaxial transmission lines, arearwardly extending hollow body member comprising a first reducedportion forming a shoulder with said body member and integral therewithand a second reduced portion forming a shoulder with said first reducedportion, said second reduced portion being integral with said firstreduced portion and sized to accept therearound the external conductorof said transmission line in crimpable relation therewith, saidrearwardly extending member being internally sized to accept the centralconductor and dielectric material therearound of said transmission line,means for compressing the outer conductor of said transmission line intogripping relation with said second reduced portion and means spacedforwardly of said reduced portions shaped to secure a mating connectorto said body member, said first reduced shoulderforming portion beingsized and shaped to receive a sleeve means for accommodation of athr-eaded tightening means forming said compressing means when it isdesired to employ this form of compressing means in lieu of crimping.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein said compressing meanscomprise a sleeve crimped over the outer conductor of said transmissionline to hold said outer conductor in gripping relation with said secondreduced portion.

3. In a coaxial connector for joining coaxial transmission lines, arearwardly extending hollow member integral with said connector andcomprising a first reduced portion forming a shoulder with saidconnector and a second reduced portion forming a shoulder with saidfirst reduced portion, said second reduced portion being sized to accepttherearound the external conductor of said transmission line, saidrearwardly extending member being internally sized to accept the centralconductor and dielectric material therearound of said transmission line,and means for compressing the outer conductor of said transmission lineinto gripping relation with said second reduced portion, saidcompressing means comprising a deformable first sleeve coaxiallydisposed about the outer conductor of said transmission line, a secondsleeve coaxial with said first sleeve, said first and second sleevesbeing externally and internally sized respectively to permit inclinedsurface engagement therebetween upon relative axial motion thereof toforce said first sleeve in radial pressure contact with said outerconductor of said transmission line, a third sleeve coaxially mounted onsaid first reduced portion and extending therefrom about said secondsleeve, and means engageable with said third sleeve for imparting axialmotion to said second sleeve whereby said outer conductor is held bysaid first sleeve in gripping relationship with said first reducedportion.

4. In a coaxial connector for joining coaxial transmission lines, arearwardly extending hollow body member having an integral reducedportion forming a shoulder about said hollow body member and a mountingsurface portion about said hollow body member sized and shaped toreceive gripping means including a sleeve member spaced about saidreduced portion for accommodation of a threaded tightening menas tocompress a sleeve against the outer conductor of said transmission lineinto gripping relation with said reduced portion, said reduced portion.being sized to accept therearound the external conductor of saidtransmission line for reception therearound of a crimpable sleeve ifdesired as an alternative gripping means, said rearwardly -extendingmember being internally sized to accept the central conductor anddielectric material therearound of said transmission line, said grippingmeans including at least one deformable ferrule for compressing theouter conductor of said transmission line into gripping relation withsaid reduced portion and means spaced forwardly of said reduced portionand said mounting surface shaped to secure a mating connector to saidbody member.

5. In a coaxial connector for joining coaxial transmission lines, ahollow member forming a connector body having a portion reduced in sizerearwardly extending therefrom and being coaxial therewith and connectedintegrally thereto, said member being internally sized to accept theinner conductor and dielectric material therearound of said transmissionline and externally sized to accept therearound the external conductorof said transmission line, a deformable first sleeve coaxially disposedabout the outer conductor of said transmission line, a second sleevecoaxial with said first sleeve, said first and second sleeves beingexternally and internally sized respectively to permit inclined surfaceengagement therebetween upon relative axial motion thereof to deformsaid first sleeve in radial pressure contact with said outer conductorof said transmission line, and means for imparting axial motion to saidsecond sleeve whereby said outer conductor is held by said first sleevein gripping relationship with said hollow member.

6. 'In a coaxial connector for joining coaxial transmission lines, ahollow member forming a connector body having la portion of reduced sizerearwardly extending therefrom and being coaxial therewith and connectedintegrally thereto, said member being internally sized to accept theinner conductor and dielectric lmaterial therearound of saidtransmission line and externally sized to accept therearound theexternal conductor of said transmission line, a first sleeve coaxiallydisposed about the outer conductor of said transmission line and havingexternally and internally a tapering end portion, a second sleevecoaxial with said first sleeve and internally having .a tapered endportion engageable with said external tapered end portion of said firstsleeve, said second sleeve being internally `sized to deform uponengagement therewith with said first sleeve in radial pressure contactwith said outer conductor of said transmission line, and means forimparting axial motion to said second -sleeve to engage said firstsleeve and hold said outer conductor in gripping relationship with saidhollow member.

7. In a coaxial connector for joining coaxial transmission lines, afirst hollow member forming a connector body having la portion reducedin size rearwardly extending therefrom and being coaxial therewith andconnected integrally thereto, said first member being internally sizedto accept the inner conductor and dielectric material therearound theexternal `conductor of said transmission line, said first member furtherhaving circumferential grooves externally cut therein, a deformablefirst sleeve coaxially disposed about the outer conductor of saidtransmission line and tapering externally and internally at the endportion thereof remote from said connector, said first sleeve furtherhaving a longitudinal slot cut therein, a second sleeve coaxial withsaid first sleeve and internally having a tapered end portion engageablewith said external tapered end portion of said first sleeve, said secondsleeve being internally sized to deform upon engagement therewith saidfirst sleeve in radial pressure contact with said outer conductor ofsaid transmission line, a third sleeve coaxially mounted on saidconnector rearwardly extending therefrom and having internal threads cuttherein, a second hollow member coaxially disposed about saidtransmission line and having external threads thereon engageable withsaid threaded portion of said third sleeve, said second memberengageable with said second sleeve to transmit axial motion thereto uponrotation of said second member whereby said second sleeve engages saidfirst sleeve and said outer conductor is held in gripping relationshipwith said hollow member about the grooves therein.

8. In a coaxial connector for joining coaxial tran-smission lines, a,rearwardly extending first hollow member integral with said connectorand comprising a first reduced portion forming a shoulder with saidconnector and a second reduced portion forming a shoulder with saidfirst reduced portion, said second reduced portion havingcircumferential grooves cut therein and sized to accept therearound theexternal conductor of said transmission line, said rearwardly extendingportion being internally sized to accept the central conductor anddielectric material therearound of said transmission line, a deformablefirst sleeve coaxially disposed about the outer conductor of saidtransmission line and tapering externally and internally at the endportion thereof remote from said connector, said fir-st sleeve furtherhaving a slot cut therethrough along the length thereof and three slotscut therethrough along the length of the tapering portion thereof, eachof said slots being circumferentially equipositioned with respect toeach other, a second sleeve coaxial with said first sleeve andinternally having a tapered end portion engageable with said externaltapered end portion of said first sleeve, said second sleeve beinginternally sized to force upon relative axial motion thereof said rstsleeve in radial pressure contact with said outer conductor of saidtransmission line, a third sleeve coaxially mounted on said firstreduced portion and extending therefrom with internal threads cuttherein, a second hollow member coaxially disposed about saidtransmission line and having external threads thereon engageable withsaid threaded portion of said third sleeve, said second member beingengageable with said second sleeve to transmit axial motion thereto uponrotation of said second member, said second sleeve engaging said firstsleeve to hold said outer conductor in gripping relationship with saidhollow member about the grooves therein.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,425,834 8/ 1947 Salisbury339-89 X 2,449,983 9/1948 Devol 339-89 X 3,074,045 1/ 1963 Overholser339-177 3,107,135 10/1963 Keil 339-94 X 3,192,308 6/1965 Van Horssen etal. 339-177 X 3,292,136 12/1966 Somerset 339-177 3,297,979 1/ 1967OKeefe et al 339-89 X RICHARD E. MOORE, Primary Examiner U.S. C1. XR.

